Rolling to the Music in The Rock

Last Saturday, I enjoyed a solo mission to The Eagle Rock Music Festival. For those who might not know, Eagle Rock is a northeast neighborhood of Los Angeles that lives where the 2 and 210 meet. It is also a wonderful little borough (if L.A. has such things) filled with mom and pop eateries, shops, art, and music, and home to arguably the best pizza in all of Los Angeles--Casa Bianca. I lived in Eagle Rock for two years, and it has so far been my favorite place to live in all of Los Angeles. It is cool with a small town feel. You will see families and older folks here, unlike other hip L.A. neighborhoods such as Silverlake and Los Feliz. It's close enough to the epicenter of L.A. to feel like you are in the city, and yet far enough away to not feel overwhelmed by all super cool Los Angeles people. I love it!

And one of the things that makes this neighborhood a shining star is the annual Eagle Rock Music Festival. Every fall the main thorough fair of Colorado Blvd is shut down for eight blocks to make room for music, food, and fun. This year they had an astounding eight stages hosting bands and djs from all places and genres like world music, reggae, punk, alternative, marching bands, Latin and much more. And did I mention it is free?

The last time I took part in the Eagle Rock festival I was living just off Colorado Blvd in the mix of the action. That year, my roommate and I invited friends to preparty with some food and lots of drinks. Though it was a great time, I would have to say it was more party and less music, and in the end I couldn't even tell you who I saw.

This year was a bit different. I journeyed to the Rock by car by myself, and didn't drink a drop (mostly because I am poor). I still had a great time walking around the neighborhood, seeing what has changed since I left, and taking in as much as I could in the little time I was there.

So here is what I saw:

8:15 - Emerging Stage: Free Moral Agents. This alterno-rock band was a nice start to the night. A female singer always makes me happy, and the Coffee Table--an Eagle Rock staple--looking over the scene told me I was in the Rock.









8:40 - American Tires-The Ship Stage: Nico Stai. I was walking around, and the music coming from this stage called me over. Though I only heard two songs, it was enough to make me smile and jump around with the rest of the crowd. Just good rock music.








9:00 - Rantz Auto Center Stage: Ollin. This L.A. Chicano rock band knew how to have a good time. Their cumbias mixed with rock had the audience in front of this auto shop (who once gave me the neighbor discount on an oil change) shaking their tales and throwing gritos (Mexican calls of elation, much like a yodel).







9:30 - Bateman Water and Heating Stage: Underground Railroad to Candyland. I've seen this San Pedro punk band a couple of times, and have always had a good time. Though they still put on a fun show, there was a missing element without the San Pedro punk kids moshing around the stage. Perhaps the drive was too much for them.






10:00 - City Hall Stage: March Fourth Marching Band. This Portland performance art/marching band was definitely the highlight of the night. Besides starting off their show with a march down Colorado Blvd with their flag guards marching on wooden stilts, they also had close to a 15 piece band, belly dancers, and acrobats. The crowd that met in the grass outside of city hall were treated to a good show worth paying for, but lucky for my wallet the entire night was free.




10:30 - The Car: Heading for the next adventure